Letters to the editor

I am glad to see us searching for ways to encourage new rental suites (and to preserve existing ones). Please keep in mind however that not all of us are interested in expanding our homes or adding a garage. There is one option however that would be certain to get all homeowners attention  offer a property tax break. Given the enormous rise in taxes we have experienced (and with much more to come in the next fiscal year with the run up in property values recently) this is one tool that could achieve the additional housing, and quickly.

I know that this would reduce revenues to the municipality, but surely this would be less expensive in the long run than building more WHA housing stock.

Ross Baillie

Via e-mail

Stéphane Perron's letter in the paper about the proliferation of overhead powerlines paints an interesting picture of the future for corridor residents.

It was not that long ago that the drive to Pemberton was free of roadside overhead pollution. That changed when the first of the "river killers" was constructed on the Soo. I know these power projects are considered "Green," but the only green I see is the carcinogenic preservative used to treat the poles.

Since that project went in many more are to follow. The Miller Creek. project has been very controversial since the first public hearing on its proposed construction. At that time the project was soundly turned down by those in attendance. Only after a few strategic promises of money to cash-strapped local governments did this project gain approvals. The history of false claims made by project developers, from the Pemberton Meadow power poles to the size of dams, holding ponds and roads in the alpine, should make people very skeptical.

In Whistler the town council signed off on the "killer" for the Brandywine. I suppose because Whistler isn't cash strapped there were no political pay-offs.

As you read this the Rutherford is succumbing to the same fate. And these are just the beggining. At present there are approx. 200 applications for river killers in our area. As stated in last weeks paper the provincial government is even doling out free money to build more!

Just how is it going to look if half of these things are built? An overhead spider web? Maybe future tourists will come here to see the Monuments to the Stupidity of Man.

And why are these projects so popular? Other than the obvious answer, that those behind them make lots of money, there are other reasons.